Nuoc Cham

A classic Vietnamese condiment with a base of fish sauce, nuoc cham brings a bouquet of garlic and chile notes to everything that absorbs it. Extremely versatile, it’s served alongside a wide range of dishes, adding heat, sweetness and savor to rice, grilled meat and fish.

Ingredients

• 2

  tablespoons granulated sugar

• ¼

  cup fresh lime juice

• 3

  tablespoons fish sauce

• 1

  garlic clove, minced

• 1 to 2

  bird’s-eye chiles, minced with seeds

Preparation

1. In a small bowl, whisk the sugar into 1/4 cup water until dissolved. Stir in the lime juice, fish sauce, garlic and chiles to combine.
2. Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Serve as a dipping sauce for fried spring rolls, and as a topping for noodle and rice salads, or grilled meats and fish. Mix with soups, greens or cooked vegetables to perk them up.